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Scarce Earth Chanticleer Single Vineyard Shiraz 2011

Vintage

We had good winter rains after a few seasons of below average rainfall. This was a late season: budburst was approximately 2-3 weeks late, and harvest started similarly behind our standard season (we usually start picking Chardonnay in early/ mid February).

This year we picked whites in late February/ early March. Unseasonal rains in March threw a spanner in the works somewhat, but luck and good management helped us dodge most of the bullets. Our best parcels of Shiraz are incredibly bright, balanced and reminiscent of our 1999 reds, which have incredible longevity. Overall this was a very long vintage with moderate yields which tested Joch’s nerves a little more than usual.

Winemaking

"Scarce Earth is a McLaren Vale initiative exploring and celebrating the geological climatic and soil diversity of the region. All wines come from a single block, a small plot of land with a unique flavour profile and personality."

The 2011 Chanticleer Shiraz is made from two 300 litre barrels from our Chanticleer Vineyard. It has been hand-made, hand bottled and is unfiltered. The wine was open fermented then matured in four year old French oak to allow the expression of the vineyard in its purest form.

Soil Type: Urrbrae stony loam

Geology: Christies Beach formation, Quaternary period

Elevation: 138 metres

Vine Age: 24 years

Vine clone: 1654, BVRC12 and an unknown clone

Volume: 66 dozen

Tasting Notes

Chanticleer Shiraz shows earth, red and blue fruits and black pepper on the nose. It is medium-weight with a soft palate showing blue fruits, a little fresh licorice, fine tannins and finishing with freshness and bright acidity.